The statistics are staggering. Every 9 seconds a woman in the US is either beaten or assaulted; more than 3 women a day in the US are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends; domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US; the costs of intimate partner violence in the US exceeds $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion on direct medical and health care services and $1.8 billion per year for productivity losses. This horrible crime affects everyone. For those who are not US citizens or may be undocumented and living in this country, they face yet another fear. If they report the abuse to the authorities, they are risking deportation, which may also result in separation from their children.

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, offered Part 1 of a two part series. On September 26th, a ‘Know Your Rights for Domestic Violence’ workshop was held. The workshop was given in English and Spanish. It was presented by Bertha Diaz, MSW, a former intern at CIS. The participants left CIS with a wealth of information about their rights and also about safe places that they may contact.

We also want to educate our Cabrini Kids about domestic violence. They will be making packets for domestic violence victims. On October 20th, the children will be putting items such as combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner into a bag that will be donated to an agency that assists victims. These packets will not only be given to people who are victims but also to those who are in transition to safe houses. It gives them a few items to help them get started in their new surroundings.

In October, CIS will offer the second part of the series, a workshop on Sexual Assault. Ms. Diaz will return to do the presentation.

“On Saturday, February 4th, Cabrini Immigrant Services of Dobbs Ferry partnered with a diverse coalition of community organizations to host the Westchester Resistance Rally in White Plains.

The protest, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, was organized by State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins who represents Dobbs Ferry among other Westchester towns and villages, and also included New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The event was organized in opposition to policies issued via executive order by President Donald J. Trump.

Senator Stewart-Cousins convened local leaders, elected officials and Westchester community members who came together in support of human rights and in opposition to policies banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries and the construction of a multi-billion dollar wall between the United States and Mexico.

“As President Woodrow Wilson once said, ‘The history of liberty is a history of resistance,’ ” said Stewart-Cousins. “The organic demonstrations of people all over the world underscore the importance of American ideals and values.”

The event followed weeks of protests and rallies since the Presidential Inauguration.

Meanwhile, on February 4th, while other Cabrini staff members were protesting in White Plains, Lorraine Campanelli, Director of CIS, was a panelist on the “Forum on Immigration” at the Yonkers Public Library, presented by The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, The Westchester Black Bar Association and The Regional Immigration Assistance Center. Lorraine spoke about the many services available at CIS-DF. “It was an honor to hear from attendees that Cabrini is well respected and is highly recommended by so many other agencies,” said Lorraine Campanelli who has been asked to join “the team” as they travel to different regions of Westchester County.

Previously, on January 28th, Concerned Families of Westchester rallied in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY to protest President Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda. The staff from Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, along with several tutors and their spouses were in attendance

Informed by his Franciscan Community of an important Lenten advocacy campaign for slave-free seafood, Fr. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Director of Pastoral Care at Cabrini of Westchester, was compelled to raise awareness. He shared the Lenten initiative led by the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) with Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, and, together, they brought the campaign to the Cabrini community.

In honor of the Year of Mercy, Ms. Krasnausky ordered and distributed over 500 hundred pre-paid postcards addressed to two of the largest distributors of seafood: Costco and Starkist. The message on the postcards read: “Catholics want slave-free seafood this year, and will be vigilant about this as we observe Lent. We, therefore, kindly urge you to do all in your power to ensure that your supply chains are free of the taint of forced labor.”

Ms. Krasnausky had the postcards signed by many employees of Cabrini of Westchester as well as those in attendance of the Cabrini Day of Prayer, Restoration and Renewal held at Cabrini College. Many were stunned to learn that the United States imports 80-90% of its seafood, and tens of thousands of people are exploited at every link in the seafood harvesting and production chain.

As a result of Cabrini’s participation, we received the following feedback from CCOAHT. “Over 15,000 cards were mailed, which exceeded the goals of the campaign. As a result, the National Fisheries Institute contacted the US Bishops Conference and a meeting is scheduled to occur in May. This contact means that the mail campaign had an effect. The initial meeting is the first step in the effort re halting the human trafficking situation in shrimp and fish farming.”

Therefore, all the individuals who signed and mailed in postcards made a significant contribution to the campaign. Thank you, and God bless one and all!